FSA has released a second update in August to the 2026–27 FAFSA Specifications Guide, a comprehensive resource for financial aid administrators, software developers, and data processing professionals. This guide provides detailed information on integrating and managing electronic FAFSA data within institutional systems.
Key Highlights from the August 2025 Update #2
Volumes Updated
- Volume 1, 4A – Record Layouts – FSA has updated the Excel version of the ISIR record layout.
- Volume 5 – Edits & Rejects
Current Available Volumes as of August 28, 2025:
- Introduction: 2026-27 FAFSA Specifications Guide – Introduction
- Volume 1 – Summary of Changes: 2026–27 FAFSA Specifications Guide – Volume 1
- Volume 2 – FPS Schedule and Getting Help: 2026–27 FAFSA Specifications Guide – Volume 2
- Volume 3 – Electronic Data Exchange and FAFSA Processing: 2026–27 FAFSA Specifications Guide – Volume 3
- Volume 4A – Record Layouts: 2026–27 FAFSA Specifications Guide – Volume 4A
- 2026–27 ISIR Record Layout: 2026–27 ISIR Record Layout
- Volume 4B – Processing Codes: 2026–27 FAFSA Specifications Guide – Volume 4B
- Volume 5 – Edits and Rejects: 2026–27 FAFSA Specifications Guide – Volume 5
- Volume 6 – ISIR Guide: 2026–27 FAFSA Specifications Guide – Volume 6
- Volume 7 – Comment Codes: 2026–27 FAFSA Specifications Guide – Volume 7
- Volume 8 – Agency Matches: 2026–27 FAFSA Specifications Guide – Volume 8
- Volume 9 – Testing and Web Demo System: 2026–27 FAFSA Specifications Guide – Volume 9
- 2026–27 FPS Test ISIR Data File: 2026–27 FPS Test ISIR Data File
- 2026–27 Additional FPS Test ISIR Data File (August 2025): 2026–27 Additional FPS Test ISIR Data File (August 2025)
SOURCE: 2026–27 FAFSA Specifications Guide (August 2025 Update #2)